@article {MrozBJGP.2022.0258, author = {Gilly Mroz and Chrysanthi Papoutsi and Trisha Greenhalgh}, title = {UK newspapers {\textquotedblleft}on the warpath{\textquotedblright}: media analysis of remote consulting in 2021}, elocation-id = {BJGP.2022.0258}, year = {2022}, doi = {10.3399/BJGP.2022.0258}, publisher = {Royal College of General Practitioners}, abstract = {Background: Following a large-scale, pandemic-driven shift to remote consulting in UK general practice in 2020, 2021 saw a partial return to in-person consultations. This occurred in the context of extreme workload pressures due to backlogs, staff shortages and task shifting. Aim: To study media depictions of remote consultations in UK general practice at a time of system stress. Design and Setting: Thematic analysis of national newspaper articles about remote GP consultations from two time periods: 13{\textendash}26 May 2021, following an NHS England letter, and 14{\textendash}27 Oct 2021, following a government-backed directive, both stipulating a return to in-person consulting. Method: Articles were identified through, and retrieved from, LexisNexis. A coding system of themes and narrative devices was developed iteratively to inform data analysis. Results: 25 articles reported on the letter and 75 on the directive. Newspaper coverage of remote consulting was strikingly negative. The right-leaning press in particular praised the return to in-person consultations, depicting remote care as creating access barriers and compromising safety. Two newspapers led national campaigns pressuring the government to require GPs to offer in-person consultations. GPs were quoted as reluctant to return to an {\textquotedblleft}in-person by default{\textquotedblright} service (as it would further pressurise a system already close to breaking point). Conclusion: Remote consultations have become associated in the media with poor practice. Some newspapers were actively leading the {\textquotedblleft}war{\textquotedblright} on general practice rather than merely reporting on it. Proactive dialogue between practitioners and the media might help minimise polarisation and improve perceptions around general practice.}, issn = {0960-1643}, URL = {https://bjgp.org/content/early/2022/08/26/BJGP.2022.0258}, eprint = {https://bjgp.org/content/early/2022/08/26/BJGP.2022.0258.full.pdf}, journal = {British Journal of General Practice} }